In the heart of downtown Kyoto, mere steps from the grounds of the old Imperial Palace, a narrow stone-paved alley runs through a pocket of historic homes. There’s an undeniable magnetism to this old lane lined with small wooden houses, where neighbors are like family and nostalgia for simpler days hangs in the air. Traffic noise from a busy adjacent avenue is barely audible, and only the occasional passerby from the nearby subway station reminds us that this is in fact modern Kyoto, not the ancient capital of centuries past.

It was in this liminal space between worlds that Christopher Flechtner and Junko Uchiyama found their home. They hail from Boston and Tokyo, respectively, and sought a place that could serve as a family dwelling for themselves and their eight-year-old son, Nikki, as well as a creative base for their firm, which operates under Chris’s name.

The couple are prolific creators, with recent projects including wooden furniture and lighting (for their newly launched collaborative, Craftsman Collective), cargo bicycles, and the occasional futuristic espresso machine thrown in to keep their ideas sharp.

The couple looked at many properties built in the 1980s and ’90s, “but nothing had any soul,” Chris says. “Nothing felt inspiring.” Eventually, they set their sights on finding an old home to renovate—specifically, a machiya, a classic Kyoto townhouse with a narrow but deep layout.

When they finally cast eyes on this 107-year-old residence, they knew it was the one. The couple were charmed by the location, and the dilapidated 904-square-foot house offered just the right canvas for an inspired transformation.

The intricacies of buying property in Japan meant that a full inspection of the house was impossible until after the deal was sealed—and a closer look revealed several surprises. The couple found a hauntingly large arachnid dried up in the kitchen sink, which inspired the home’s name, Spider Hollow. Chris was also alarmed by the lean of the structure’s wooden frame—especially the overhead hari support beams, which had twisted when opposite corners of the house settled. Undeterred, Junko and Chris embarked on a renovation that would embrace the home’s quirks and introduce a playful spin on the classic machiya style.

Like many old Kyoto houses built before modern construction codes, Spider Hollow’s facade comes right up to the street. The entrance opens to the family’s workshop. Tools, custom R/C cars, and a DIY Star Wars helmet signal that this is a space where the family tinkers.

A doorway to the side leads to two austere but snug bedrooms surrounded by sliding fusuma panels filled with translucent white paper. Soft light passes through the walls, creating a sense of being ensconced in a warm glow. Beyond the main bedroom lies a private sanctum that serves as a yoga room. The spaces convey a blend of utility and modesty.

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The upper level is a different story. Here, the couple knocked down the interior walls to create one space softly divided by a wooden grid wall along the stairwell. Spectacular natural light flows through large windows that bookend the formerly compartmentalized plan, and the home’s original twisted beams, once hidden by a drop ceiling, soar overhead.

“The beams were nauseatingly twisted. But they were so mesmerizing—we knew we had to keep them as is.”
—Christopher Flechtner, designer and resident

Along one wall runs a roomy kitchen, bounded on one end by the living room and on the other by a deck. The family adheres to a plant-based diet, with Junko applying her artistry not only to design work but to food preparation as well. “Cooking is my passion, and I wanted it to be front and center in the living area,” she says. “Guests are always welcome for a healthy, home-cooked meal.”

Junko speaks of life in Spider Hollow in terms of creativity: “There is no ‘on and off’ in this house; everything is connected.” When inspiration strikes at the dining table, the open design allows the couple to easily transition to the work space in the living room to pursue an idea. “Life and business have no separation in our world,” she says.

On a recent visit, lunch is spread out on the dining table, which Chris designed. Over a meal of homemade seitan chicken with tomato relish on homemade whole wheat bread, Chris shares how he worked with local artisans on many aspects of the project, including the traditional shikkui, or lime plaster, walls. “It’s a new world for me, but it’s a chance to learn something—and make a mess in the process,” he says with a laugh. The couple also took on several of the finishing touches themselves, designing and fabricating the garden, the deck, and most of the lighting.

After lunch, the family retires to the sitting area. The centerpiece here is the custom sofa, a one-armed lounge upholstered in truffle brown with under-seat storage—a necessity in a narrow home with few closets. Junko turns on an eclectic Seattle-based Internet radio station while Chris settles into the bench that runs along a window overlooking the street, sketch pad in hand. Johnny Marr’s guitar echoes from a speaker suspended above before giving way to Latin American beats. Nikki plays with Legos on the floor, his finished creations on display alongside his parents’ sketches and prototypes. Their work space lines one wall: dual computer stations separated by a storage unit for filing away inspirational clippings.

This creative space is the heart of Spider Hollow, and it encourages the blend of work and play that the family holds so dear. That the domestic sphere can intertwine with imaginative spaces and traditional architectural elements speaks to the home’s skillful design. “We’ve achieved our goal of creating a livable space with a sensible footprint,” says Chris, while Junko nods with a satisfied smile. He continues, “It feels just right for us.”

Project Credits:

Architecture: Christopher Flechtner Inc.

Contracting: Yoshiaki Hayashi

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A Designer Couple Weave Fresh Elements Into a 107-Year-Old Kyoto Townhouse